By day I'm a nerd in software, and by night I get out the seed beads and reading glasses and indulge myself. I bead and knit and spin mostly, though I've tried just about every fiber art and needlecraft I know of.

How did it come to be that you started working with seed beads?

I have been dabbling in everything since forever, seed beads included - in fact I even "invented" (I came up with it on my own, in a vacuum, as no one I knew did seed beading) peyote stitch in high school, making myself a belt (which I could never figure out how to fasten). Every few years, I'd buy a beading magazine or make a beding project, and then go back to knitting or spinning or sewing or whatever. About five or six years ago I didn't put away the beads, and have been beading consistently since then.

How long have you been creating with seed beads?

Since I was a teenager (and I'm not saying how long ago that was!)

Is there any significance to the name of your shop?

Not really. I didn't want a name that was tied to any particular medium, or expressed any sort of visual aesthetic, and didn't really mean anything. I wanted to call it "Not So Much", since apparently I used to say that a lot, but it's too negative, so More Than Somewhat it is.

What inspires you?

It's hard to say. Sometimes it's a colour, or a bead, or a set of constraints, or someone else's work. Anything and everything.

Do you listen to music or TV while you work?

I listen to NPR online: Fresh Air, This American Life, Radio Lab, and news programs

I really like murky, complex colours that can't be described by a single word. So I'm unlikely to work in red, though I might use a deep crimson, or an iridescent brick, or something like that.

Do you have a favorite technique? Which one and why?

Not really. I use whatever technique will give me the effect I want at the time.

Do you do shows or vending of any sort? Where?

I have a weaver friend who has an annual home show that's worked out really well for me. I have taught at some of the national bead shows, and sell my beading kits there, but I haven't done any juried art shows.

Do you teach beading classes? Where?

I teach at my local bead store twice a month, and at national bead shows when they accept my proposals. I've also taught at a few fiber arts and weavers' guilds.

Do you sell your work in any galleries/shops? Where?

Nope.

Where do you see yourself in your business in 5 years?

Hard to say. I have a day job which certainly cuts into my beading time, and is quite frankly more lucrative. I'd like to teach around the country more, and perhaps through that exposure, I'll be able to sell more finished beadwork. I've been building up a good (though small) customer base, and I think this is a good way to go, as the repeat customers are the best. Much as I'd love to be able to support myself with beading (whether teaching, selling kits or selling finished jewellery), it seems unlikely at this time, but I'll never say never!

Congrats again to Isabella, beads4me, for winning last month's challenge. The theme she has chosen for the May Challenge is "Embedded Colors in the World of Insects", she writes:

"Many colors embedded in the world of insect. The insect has beautiful integrated colors, although they are tiny, their world is huge.The fashion world sometimes makes the connection between them and other fields in our life and the results are always amazing and overwhelming.The final school project of my daughter, Shani Lam, is a source of inspiration for me in designing beaded jewelry.The idea of creating something with tiny raw materials with which we design is my theme for the May 2010 EBWC challenge."

You may start your entry today and must complete and list it by midnight Etsy time, May 5, 2010!

Rules:Any style, any technique with a majority of bead weaving is welcome. Pieces submitted for the challenges should be newly-created (by you - not from a pattern) between the date the challenge theme is announced and the 5th of the month when it is due. Do not renew an existing or expired listing for the challenge.

Tell us a bit more about yourself?I live by the seaside in south eastern Australia. In my day job I am an academic who creates with ideas and words and in my beading world I enjoy the mysteries of creating with colour, shape and form.

How did it come to be that you started working with seed beads?I saw some fantastic woven beadwork in a bead shop in Austin, Texas and I decided I¹d like to try it. I bought a book, some needles and beads that day and on the long flight between the US and Australia gave it a try. The rest they say is history!

How long have you been creating with seed beads?

About 10 years off and on.

Is there was any significance to the name of your shop?Dax was a much loved dog we rescued from a dog¹s home who sadly died from a snake bite. He was named after a character on Star Trek - Jadzia Dax. Dax is a Trill symbiont, a lifeform that is hosted in symbiosis by a race of humanoid aliens called Trills, Each of the hosts has access to the memories of the previous hosts, including the accumulated skills and work experiences but is also influenced by them. Our dog shaped us and we shaped him, weeach learnt from the other. In my beading I shape the beads but the beads and all beaders before me shape my work and I hope my work will shape others in the future.

What inspires you?My beadart is inspired by shapes, patterns, colors and meanings of cultural and natural worlds near and far. Many of my designs use traditional beadweaving techniques that women have used in diverse cultures over time to create beadwork of great beauty and significance to their daily lives. Some of this beadwork carries hidden messages, some forms their dowry and much of it contains their wealth in a wearable form. All of it intrigues, enchants and inspires me to use beads to create wearable bead art that celebrates this tradition and brings diversity to what we see and wear and in daily lives.

Do you listen to music or TV while you work?I often bead whilst watching TV at night ¬ it¹s a social time with my partner. Finding other times to bead is tricky with what has been a demanding day job.

Do you have common colors you work with?I love all colours and go through phases but at present bright is best.

What is your favorite color palette?I gravitate to limes, oranges and purples at present. They are fresh, edgy and vibrant.

Do you have a favorite technique? Which one and why?I always return to Peyote - it has a lovely rhythm to it that I really enjoy.

Do you do shows or vending of any sort? Where? I have just begun selling at local craft markets on the Bellarine Peninsula where I live

Do you teach beading classes? Where?Not at present but I plan to later in this year.

Do you sell your work in any galleries/shops? Where?I sell in a couple of local shops - the Drysdale Craft Shop and the Red Pidgeon in Barwon Heads.

Where do you see yourself in your business in 5 years?Hopefully, growing and selling larger commissioned pieces but definitely still full of challenge, enjoyment and inspiration.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Time is just flying by and here we are with the March challenge! The theme was named by Iryna from ArtBeadwork , the Winner of our December/Winter Challenge. To best decide the Winner, you can click on their links below the image. You can vote on your Favorite from March 9th to March 15th.**PLEASE NOTE: I cannot fix the poll now with so many voted. #25 is listed 2x, but repaired on the list below the mosaic. The 1st #25, should be #24. My apologies!**

The challenge piece should be inspired by a known Fairytale. Every participant needs to describe in their listing what the inspiration and name of the Fairy Tale. The piece could represent absolutely anything: good or evil characters, flowers, objects, animals or places and castles, but in needs to be tied to a story.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Congrats again to Laura, from Lauralia, who won the February challenge! The theme she has chosen for the April Challenge is "Light as a Breeze", she writes:

I am twice as happy to be choosing the challenge theme for April, as that is also my birth month! As a result, I absolutely love spring, and this theme was thought as a celebration of the season. It doesn't necessarily refer to a small (or weight-light) piece; just imagine something that looks as bright, delicate and gentle as the first warm breezes of spring.

You may start your entry today and must complete and list it by midnight Etsy time, April 5, 2010!

Rules:Any style, any technique with a majority of beadweaving is welcome. (Pieces submitted for the challenges should be newly-created (by you - not from a pattern) between the date the challenge theme is announced and the 5th of the month when it is due. Do not renew an existing or expired listing for the challenge.)

About Etsy Beadweavers

Etsy Beadweavers is a group of beaders who market their creations on Etsy.com. The Beadweavers' creations are different from many of the traditional beaded items, in that they are woven from hundreds or thousands of tiny beads to create intricate designs and pictures. These weavings take the form of both art and jewelry. Each piece takes many hours to complete, with some larger pieces taking weeks or even months.

This blog is devoted to the creations of this group of talented artisans.